3 min read
Cecily Grace Morgan
No, you can’t. Recreational cannabis is illegal in Thailand and those caught with it can face imprisonment and heavy fines. Since June 2025, cannabis is only legal in Thailand with a Thai prescription, so UK medical cannabis prescriptions aren’t valid. Another bill was approved by the Thai cabinet in September 2026 to further tighten cannabis laws.
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Cannabis is illegal in Thailand when used recreationally and laws are strictly enforced.
However, it can be legal when used for medicinal purposes, but this only applies to Thai-issued prescriptions and is limited to a 30-day supply.
In June 2025 Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health made cannabis flower a controlled herb which means that medical cannabis is only legal with a valid prescription issued in Thailand and is limited to a 30-day supply.
In September 2026, the Thai cabinet approved a bill that aims to restrict cannabis use to medicinal treatment and research. It still has to go through the House of Representatives, but if it becomes law, existing recreational cannabis shops’ licences will run out between 2026 and 2028, and the shops will have to become medical facilities.
You can’t take your medical cannabis into Thailand from the UK because the Thai FDA explicitly states, “Do not import herbal products containing cannabis or hemp”.
What’s more, in its list of psychotropic substances, which was updated in September 2026, the FDA names THC as a category 1 psychotropic controlled substance. This means that import, export and possession are prohibited, unless granted special permission from the Minister of Public Health.
Attempting to travel out of Thailand with cannabis can result in severe penalties. You could be issued with fines that start at 30,000 baht per kilogram (around £684) and, if you do not pay, you will be detained or put in prison. You could also be placed on an immigration watchlist, which could affect any future trips to Thailand.
If you’re a medical cannabis patient planning a trip to Thailand or anywhere else in Asia and you have any concerns or questions, please talk to your Releaf clinician or contact the Thai embassy.
We can provide a travel letter through the Patient Dashboard or patient support that shows a doctor has legally prescribed you cannabis in the UK but this will not grant you any legal permission to take cannabis into Thailand.
If you want to take your medical cannabis on holiday, you might like to explore countries that are more “medical cannabis-friendly”.
If you’re caught with cannabis in Thailand, you could face arrest and serious penalties, including imprisonment and heavy fines.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
Cannabis is illegal in Cyprus, but the Pharmaceutical Services states that medical cannabis patients can get a permit for taking their medication into the country. However, you should double-check with them and the High Commission before booking a trip.
No, you can’t. Recreational cannabis is illegal in Thailand and those caught with it can face imprisonment and heavy fines. Since June 2025, cannabis is only legal in Thailand with a Thai prescription, so UK medical cannabis prescriptions aren’t valid. Another bill was approved by the Thai cabinet in September 2026 to further tighten cannabis laws.
Generally, yes. Recreational cannabis is illegal, with coffee shops for residents tolerated rather than licensed. However, you can usually take medical cannabis to the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, but you’ll need a travel certificate and you should contact the Dutch embassy or customs for confirmation.
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